Electric clock.



E. KLlNG-MULLER.

ELECTRIC CLOCK.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 15. 1914.

1,239,507. Patented Sept. 11, 1917.

4- SHEETS--SMIET I.

FIG I.

7,. '1; Imwwfor Ellqe'n Mill /W116;

E. MING-MULLER.

ELECTRIC CLOCK.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 15. 1914.

Patented Sept. 11, 1917.

4 SHEETSSHEET 2.

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E KLlNG-MULLER.

ELECTRIC CLOCK. APPLICATION FILED OCT. 15, 1914.

Patent-ed Sept. 11, 1917 4 SHEETSSHEET a.

lwwmom I Eug'enMiny-MVZer, M5

QHMMWW E. KLlNG-MULLER.

ELECTRIC CLOCK.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 15. 1914.

Patented Sept. 11, 1917.

4 SHEETSSHEET 4.

Euyeiz UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

. 1. EUGEN KLINe-MiILLnn, or PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

ELECTRIC CLOCK.

Application filed. October 15, 1914.

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, EUGEN KLING- MiiLLnn, of Philadelphia, in the countyof Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, a citizen of the UnitedStates, have invented certain new, and useful Improvements in ElectricClocks, whereof the following is a specification, reference being had tothe accompanying drawings.

The invention relates more particularly to the mechanism for actuatingthe pendulum of an electric clock and to the train of mechanism actuatedby the pendulum for operatin the arbors supporting the hands.

An object of the'invention is to simplify the train of mechanism forpositively actuating the arbors supporting the hands from the movementsof the pendulum.

A further object of the invention is to provide an electricallycontrolled means which gives an impulse to the pendulum at predeterminedtime intervals.

These and other objects will in part be obvious, and will in part behereinafter more fully disclosed.

In the drawings which show by way of illustration one embodiment of theinvention, Figure I, is a front'view of a portion of a clock embodyingmy improvements, with the dial and hands omitted.

Fig. II, is a vertical sectional view on the the line II, II, of Fig. I.

Fig. III, is a horizontal sectional View on the line III, III, of FigII.

Fig. IV,is a sectional View on the line IV, IV, of Fig. III.

Fig. V, is a detail in perspective showing the manner of pawling theratchet wheel of the second hand and the means for operating the ratchetWheel of the minute hand therefrom.

Fig. VI, is a detail sectional view on line VI, VI, of Fig. III, showingthe ratchet wheel for the hour hand and the mechanism for actuating thesame.

Fig. VII, is a detail in front elevation showing the controlling devicefor the contact actuating mechanism.

The invention consists,'generally, in providing a supporting frame onwhich is mounted a pendulum and this pendulum, at certain predeterminedtime intervals, is given an impulse through the instrumentality of anelectromagnet which is energized so as to attract an armature carried bythe pendulum. The contacts are closed Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 11, 1917.

Serial No. 866,742.

by the swinging of the pendulum through devices which are in turncontrolled by the train of mechanism operating the hands, so that saidcontacts are only closed at certain predetermined time intervals. Theswinging of the pendulum actuates two pawls, first one and then theother, which together propel a ratchet wheel having an arbor to which isattached a second hand. As herein shown, this ratchet wheel for thesecond hand carries a cam which actuates an arm to swing a pawl forturning the ratchet wheel to which is attached the minute hand. Thisratchet wheel for the minute hand in turn actuates a cam which swings anarm for operating a pawl which actuates a ratchet wheel for the hourhand.

Referring more in detail to the drawings, my improved electric clockconsists of a supporting frame 1, on which is mounted a pendulum 2.

Mounted on the frame is a central arbor 3, to which is attached aratchet wheel l. This arbor carries the second hand indicated at 5, andis supported at its inner end by a plate 6, and at its outer end withina sleeve 7, projecting from a bracket 8, secured to plate 6. (Fig. IV).The ratchet wheel 4:, is operated upon by two pawls 9, and 10. Thesepawls are carriedby a pallet lever 11, which is pivoted to a bracket 12,attached to the plate 6. This pallet lever 11, has an upwardly extendingarm 13, which is slotted so as to engage a pin 14, bent laterally from ashank 15, secured to the pendulum head 16, and adapted to move in unisonwith the pendulum. As the pendulum oscillates the pallet lever 11, willbe rocked on its pivotal support. As it is rocked to the position shownin Fig. I, the pawl 9, moves the ratchet wheel 1, forward. As the palletlever swings in the opposite direction through the swing of thependulum, the pawl 10, becomes effective to turn the ratchet wheel 4,and the pawl 9, is retracted so as to engage the next tooth. Through theswinging of this pallet lever the ratchet wheel is advanced the distanceof one tooth for each half oscillation of the pendulum.

Secured to the arbor 3, directly adjacent the ratchet wheel a, is a cam17. Loosely mounted on the stationary sleeve 7, is a movable sleeve'18,which carries a ratchet wheel 19. Mounted on the plate 6, is a swingingarm 20, which is fixed to a sleeve 21 carrying another arm 22, whichbears on the cam 17. A pawl 23 is pivoted to the arm 20, and engages theratchet wheel 19. When the parts are positioned as shown in Fig.- V,thev rotation of the cam 17, raises the arm 22, thereby graduallyturning the ratchet wheel 19 by means of the pawl 23, and when the camhas made a complete rotation, the arm 22, drops by gravity from the highpoint of the cam to the low point thereof, and this retracts the pawl22, quickly so as to cause the same to engage the next tooth. The minutehand indicated at 24, is secured to the. sleeve 18. The sleeve 18 issupported by a stationary sleeve 25, which extends from a bracket 26,also secured to plate 6.

Loosely mounted onthe stationary sleeve 25, is a movable sleeve 27, towhich is attached the hour hand 28. A ratchet wheel 29, is fixed to thesleeve 27, and turns therewith. Mounted onthe sleeve 18, is a cam 30. Apawl 31, actuates the ratchet wheel 29. This pawlis pivoted to an arm32, which is fulcrumed at 33, to the bracket 26, see Fig. VI. An arm 35,is pivoted at 36, to the bracket 26, and is provided at its free endwith a pin 37, adapted to rest on the cam 30. This arm carries anotherpin 38, which engages the arm 32, for swinging the pawl 31. WVhen theparts are positioned as shown in Fig. VI, the turning of the cam 30,will gradually raise the arm 35, which will gradually move the pawl 31,forward, thereby-turningthe ratchet wheel 29. When the arm 35, dropsfrom the high point of the cam to the low point thereof, the pawl31,will be quickly retracted and engage the next tooth of the ratchet wheel29. The teeth of the ratchet wheels 4, 19 and 29, are proportionate innumber as well known in this art, and are each provided with a safetydetent 39, to prevent any return movement.

From the above description, it-will be apparent that the ratchet wheelattached to the arbor of the second handis positively actuated throughthe swinging of the pendulum and this ratchet wheel through the pawl 23,turns the ratchet wheel 19, and the ratchet wheel 19, through the pawl31, turns the ratchet wheel 29. V

The pendulum is given an impulse at certain time intervals through thefollowing mechanism. Mounted on the frame 1, is an electromagnet 40.This magnet is energized by an electric current which is controlled bythe contacts 41, and 42. An armature 43, is mounted on a bracketattached to the pendulum 2. This armature swings to a point adjacentthemagnet and when the circuit is closed, the armature will be drawndirectly wider the magnet which will give a little further swing to thependulum or an impulse thereto. The contacts 41, and. 42, are closed byan extension 45, which is fixed to a depending arm 46, mounted'on alever 47. The contacts 41, and 42, are supported by an insulating blockwhich is provided with a projection 44, by which the head on theextension 45, is supported when in normal position.

The lever 47, is attached to a sleeve pivoted at 48, and this sleevecarries a second arm 49, supporting at its free end a pin 50, whichcooperates with a cam disk 51, attached to the arbor of the second hand.This disk is notched at 52. When the notch in the disk reaches the pin50, at the end of the arm, the pin drops and this lowers the arm 46, sothat the finger 53, will be engaged by a pin 54, on the pendulum, whichwill raise the arm 46, and cause the extension 45, to engage the contact42, and move theIsame against the contact 41. See Fig. VI

\Vhen the pin 50, of arm 38, rests on the outer edge of the disk or iswithdrawn from the notch, thenthe arm 46, will be moved beyond the pathof the pin 54, 011 pendulum 2. Inasmuch as the disk 51, is mounted onthe arbor of the second hand, said disk will rotate once a minute andtherefore will give an impulse to the pendulum at time intervals oneminute apart. In certain cases the pendulum may require more than oneimpulse per minute, in the event of which the disk 50, may be furthernotched in accord, ance with these conditions. i

It is obvious that minor changes in the details of construction andarrangement of parts may be made without departing from the spirit ofthe invention as set forth in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, I- claim:

1. In an electric clock, the combination of a swinging pendulum, aratchet wheel actuated thereby, a clock train actuated by said ratchetand means for giving an impulse to said pendulum, including anelectro-magnet, an armature attached to the pendulum, a movable contactfor the circuit of the electro-magnet, a notched disk connected to saidratchet, and means connected therewith for closing said contact, wherebysaid pendulum is givenan impulse for eachrevolution of said notcheddisk.

2. In an electric clock, the combination of a swinging pendulum, aratchet wheel actuated thereby, a clock train actuated by said ratchet,and means for giving an impulse to said pendulum, including anel'ectro-magnet, an armature attached to the pendulunn e movable contactfor the circuit of the aloe;- tro-magnet, anotched disk connected tosaidratchet, a depending arm adapted to close said contact when actuated bysaid pendnvlum, and means whereby said arm is lowered into position tobe actuated'by said pendulum at each revolution of said notcheddisk.

3. An electric clock including in combination, a ratchet wheel, aswinging pendulum,

a pallet lever actuated directly by said pendulum, paWls carried by saidpallet lever and operating said ratchet wheel, a second hand positivelyconnected to said ratchet Wheel, a second ratchet Wheel mounted to turnabout the axis of the first ratchet wheel, a minute hand positivelyconnected to said second ratchet Wheel, a pawl actuated by the firstratchet Wheel for turning said second ratchet Wheel, a third ratchetwheel mounted to turn about the axis of the first ratchet Wheel and anhour hand connected to said third ratchet Wheel, a pawl actuated by saidsecondratchet Wheel for turning said third ratchet Wheel and means forgiving an impulse to said pendulum including an electromagnet, anarmature attached to the pendulum, a movable contact for the circuit ofthe when said lever is lowered by the notched disk to bring said arminto range of said pin.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed my name, at Philadelphia,Pennsylvania, this thirteenth day of October, 1914.

I EUGEN KLING-MULLER.

Witnesses:

JAMES H. BELL, E. L. FULLERTON.

copies or this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G.

